Director of Children’s and Youth Ministries
Profile of Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association
With roots in the Methodist tradition, Ocean Grove is the longest-active camp meeting site in the United States, and since its founding in 1869 as an outgrowth of the nation-wide camp meeting movement, it has developed into a diversified and dynamic year-round community. Ocean Grove’s rich history of Christian witness spans a century- and-a-half, yet the organization’s core mission remains: to be the seaside community where all generations can know and grow in Jesus.
Ocean Grove accomplishes this mission by providing opportunities for spiritual birth, growth, and renewal through worship, education, cultural, and recreational activities, all in a beautiful, seaside setting. Special memories are made as old friendships are renewed, new friendships are created, and friends and family share a season of fellowship and spiritual growth. When summer inevitably ends, believers return home refreshed and renewed in the power of the Holy Spirit, having learned important faith lessons to carry them through the rest of the year and beyond.
The Challenge
The Director of Children and Youth Ministries will be responsible for developing, coordinating, and administering an effective and comprehensive ministry for the Children and Youth programs for the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, and to their families, consistent with our mission statement, “to provide opportunities for spiritual birth, growth, and renewal through worship, educational, cultural, and recreational programs for persons of all ages in a Christian seaside setting.” This person will be part of the program team, collaborating with the director and program chair and will report to the Program Director. This ministry role will also work collaboratively with the beach office manager and chief lifeguard to establish a vision and plan for beach programming that reflects recreation and spiritual formation.
The Opportunity
This position is faith-based and requires agreement with the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association’s Statement of Faith and understanding that the applicant is expected to plan and conduct activities which advance others in the faith which the Statement of Faith exemplifies. As a committed follower of Christ, the ideal candidate should possess the background, core skills, and experiences needed to create and sustain dynamic, externally focused, and transformative programmatic and worship opportunities for youth. He or she will be responsible for the planning and management of the programs and staff for Riptide/Thornley (ages 3 ½ to 11), Children’s Church and Nursery: Sunday, The Current (Youth Worship Jr and Sr High), Breakfast Club (ages 12 to 17), Freestyle (Jr. and Sr. High), Youth Dramatics (New Beginnings, Children’s, and Teen Shows). The candidate will remain heavily engaged with the youth ministry team for the purpose of team building and to measure/assess program effectiveness and growth in both attendance and spiritual maturity. Additionally, he or she will work collaboratively with the beach office manager and chief lifeguard to establish a vision and plan for beach programming that reflects recreation and spiritual formation. Additionally, the candidate will recruit and train interns during the off season for summer programming; and serve as role model/mentor by creating a professional environment that promotes learning, growth, and firsthand opportunity to discern a call for ministry.
Work Schedule:
Onsite - 40 hours per week in season including nights and weekends from late spring ( end of May ) to late summer (mid August) . (late spring to late summer),
Remote - 10 to 15 hours per month of remote work during the fall and winter seasons to recruit, identify and hire interns for the summer, work in collaboration with the program director, and prepare and review all intern training, employment, and onboarding documents (remote).
Compensation and Housing:
Housing in our newly renovated 2 bedroom, full kitchen and bath apartment is provided from the end of May through mid August.
Compensation up to $25,000.
The candidate must hold a valid driver’s license and own a vehicle with insurance and have a safe driving record. Employment at OCGMA requires a background check, fingerprinting, and completion of the abuse training program, as well as completion of application forms.
Position Responsibilities
Vision & Leadership:
Provide leadership and work collaboratively with the program chair and committee to establish a sustainable model of youth ministry.
Contribute to and collaborate with the various staff and volunteers for integrated, meaningful, and intentional ways to connect the youth and their families to program and worship opportunities for spiritual, birth growth, and renewal.
Build and train teams of youth and young adult volunteers to lead programming for youth, fostering long-term engagement between youth and adults. Maintain meaningful, encouraging relationships with volunteers where volunteers feel equipped and valued.
Facilitate a vision for the youth ministry working with the program committee, staff, and key volunteers to create a mission, and core values for the youth ministry.
Relationships:
Develop personal relationships with youth by creating a welcoming, fun, and inclusive culture, being a friendly resource and positive role model, and providing spiritual counseling and leadership that encourages young people to make a lifelong decision/commitment to become followers of Jesus Christ. Additionally, develop close ties with parents to support faith formation in the lives of their child/children.
Identify, develop, and disciple youth leaders, creating opportunities for youth to be involved in leadership roles within OGCMA.
Track and follow up with visitors to all youth programs.
Foster relationships with adults to develop a committed network of volunteers for the youth ministry.
Be responsive to the needs of team members, parents, and constituents as a respected and trusted representative of the OGCMA.
Oversee the spiritual formation, development, planning, and implementation of a comprehensive faith formation curriculum for the youth ministry.
Work collaboratively with the program department and beach management to develop a comprehensive and cohesive Christian formation plan for current youth beach programming.
Consistently seek out and or create opportunities for youth to be exposed to or participate in activities with areas of OGCMA worship and programming.
Administration:
Communicate program information to youth, parents, and the larger OGCMA community through a variety of media in a timely fashion, including social media, the youth webpage, and the OGCMA calendar.
Ensure that all areas of ministry are in full compliance with OGCMA standards policies, as well as compliance with all local, state, and federal guidelines.
Advertise, interview, reference check, and hire a total of 6 summer youth interns.
Oversee the hiring of qualified Christian workers by Supervisors in the Children’s and Dramatics ministries.
Consult regularly with the Dramatics Director, Children’s Director, and Children’s Church Director for staffing, budget curriculum, planning, and program development.
Prepare the annual budget for children, dramatic, and youth ministries in collaboration with Program Director and Executive Director / COO.
Oversee the budget compliance of each department to ensure that each department and its leader stay within budget.
Meet weekly with youth leadership team members for program planning, team building, and program assessment.
Attend weekly staff and quarterly program committee meetings.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate must have a minimum of four years of experience in youth ministry, and a degree or course work in Youth Ministry is strongly preferred. The Director should exhibit high integrity, sound judgment, ability to manage challenging situations, quick decision-making and critical thinking skills, grace under pressure, and a good sense of humor.
Key Characteristics:
Be in full agreement and committed to the mission and vision of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association and willingly abide by the OCGMA code of conduct.
A well-grounded and robust Christian faith and personal relationship with Jesus Christ, with the ability to articulate it to young people.
A demonstrated commitment to working with young people, parents, and volunteers in a high-energy and dynamic environment.
Outstanding leadership and relationship skills for educating, inspiring, and empowering young people, teachers, volunteers, parents, and reaching out to newcomers.
In-depth knowledge of the Bible and the ability to discern and express sound Biblical interpretations and Christian theology.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs.
To be considered for this position qualified candidates must:
Complete the online application
Email a resume, statement of faith* and a total of 2 church or clergy references and 2 professional references to Natalie Stephens- Stewart, Program Director natalie.stewart@oceangrove.org
* The statement of faith should include your personal reflection regarding your relationship with God, church, and Jesus Christ